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Sweltering summer heat can only mean one thing, paletas!!! These cucumber-chile paletas are the perfect cucumber popsicle, not to spicy, sweet, and just the right amount of tart. (You can put lime and chile on almost anything and I’d totally eat it.) We are so happy to be participating once again in Lola’s Cocina Paleta Week. This year there are 10 vegan paletas! So be sure to head over there and check it out and share with #paletaweek.

Mexico has a history of unconventional ice cream flavors, some of them are even trendy now, but Mexico has been doing it for years. Some of the most popular ones are corn, avocado, arroz con leche, rose petal, and tequila and lime.

The beginning of the paleta industry can be traced to Tocumbo, Michoacan in the 1930’s. Where a family business, la Michoacana, flourished and spread to the rest of the country. You can find a Michoacana in almost any town in Mexico, and without a doubt you will be able to find vegan options there.

To find your vegan options, simply ask for paletas or helado de agua, which means from water. Paletas and helado de agua are made with a water base, and are just as delicious as there milky counterparts. One of the greatest things about Mexican paletas and ice cream is that they are made with local and fresh fruit. What are your favorite paleta flavors??

The Recipe: Cucumber-Chile Paletas (Cucumber Popsicles)

You don’t have to use a fancy cucumber to make this (a.k.a english cucumbers), a regular one will do.

Make sure to peel and remove the seeds.

Our favorite chile powder for this is Tajín, which is now available at most grocery stores.

After packing all our belongings in less than two weeks we drove across the country and finally reached South Carolina. Well, I didn’t, my husband did! I’m spending some time at my parents’ house in Mexico, where the munchkin and I are being spoiled silly, while the hubby is finding a place to live. (Thanks babe!) I have written several posts about my hometown of Acuña, taken lots of pictures, and shared recipes, so this time I don’t have much to show you. It really is a small town.

There is one thing in particular that I greatly enjoy when I come here in the summer, the abundance of mango. The variety most commonly available here is the ataulfo. It is an oblong shaped, yellow-skinned, mango that is known for its sweet and buttery flesh. Its skin is slightly thicker than other varieties, but its seed is thinner than most.

You can find them at your local Mexican grocery store, Costco, or Sam’s Club. They are in season from March to July. Ataulfo mangoes turn from green to yellow as they mature. When you buy a mango make sure it is not bruised or over-ripe. If you can only find green mangoes, just let them mature at room temperature. An ataulfo mango is ready to eat when the skin is golden-yellow and the flesh is soft to the touch. Once they are ripe, store in the refrigerator for up to five days.

In Mexico, ataulfo mangoes are served on street carts with lime and powdered chile, in salads, salsas, and savory seafood dishes. There are also mango popsicles, mango candy, dried mango slices covered in chile, mango cakes, and pastries.

The Recipe: Mango Chile Paletas

I have created two popsicle recipes for you. The first one is sugar-free, super easy, and kid approved. The trick is to use really ripe mangoes. The second popsicle uses simple syrup as a sweetener, and has key lime juice and chile powder to make it fit for grownups. Enjoy!

Ingredients

Preparation

Combine all ingredients in blender and process until smooth.

Pour into popsicle molds and freeze for at least 5 hours before unmolding.

Chef's Notes

To make simple syrup bring ¼ cup of sugar, and a ¼ of a cup of water to a simmer, until all the sugar dissolves. Let cool completely.Tajin chile powder can be found at most Mexican grocery stores and some Wal-Mart´s.

Sugar-Free Mango Popsicles

Yield: 4 popsicles

Time: 15min + 5 hrs.

Ingredients:

Mango, peeled, diced

1 ¼ cups

Water

1/3 cup

Preparation:

Combine ingredients in blender and process until smooth.

Pour into popsicle molds and freeze for at least 5 hours before unmolding.